Susanne, BJJ Fighter ACL allograft reconstruction

by Susanne
(Zurich, Switzerland)

Dear all

I hope my story will encourage every athlete who has to undergo an ACL reconstruction.

Some words about myself. Im a 34-year old Martial Arts Athlete, last year I fought in the Worlds and did a pretty good job despite my torn ACL. My current sports field is BJJ and MMA.

My accident which led to an ACL tear happened 4 days prior to the worlds, I still went. When my doctor told me what's wrong with my knee, I tried everything in order to prevent a surgery. But this was my biggest mistake. About 5 months later, my quadriceps muscle partially tore during a very simple jump exercise. This happened due to the fact that I didn't have the explosive strength in my left leg anymore (the one with the torn ACL)which again was because I subconsciously wasn't putting my full weight on this leg.

I faced another bad message, my meniscus was damaged now too (which wasn't when my ACL accident happened)

So my doctor insisted on having my ACL reconstructed using the allograft, plus my muscle needed to be sewed together. This meant, within 4 weeks I had to face two surgeries, the second one, my ACL reconstruction, was on 8th December 2010. Fortunately everything went really well and I could return to technical Training in BJJ already 6 weeks post op. As for MMA I foucused on my punching techniques. On April 18, 2011 my doctor will decide if my knee will be ready to be pushed further so I can start preparing for my next tournaments. Everything seems again within reach but I learned to be patient and simply focus on the next step ahead of me.

What helped me the most, was my mental preparation. Once I decided for the surgery, I started visualizing myself being back fighting again. Already in the hospital I started to train my arms. There is always something you can train, be it your grip, your upper body, your healthy leg or simply watch your sport and see yourself dong the techniques. Just stay fully focused on yourself and follow the instructions given by your doctor. My doctor watched some BJJ DVD's which I gave him in advance, so he knows exactly what I'm doing, and I know when he tells me you are ready to do this or that, it's the right decision. I fully trust him.

My doctor gave me a frame, but within this frame, I stretch my limits as good as I can. I know one thing, step by step I will be back to my level I had before. I look at the whole surgery more as another challenge, another step on my way back to fighting again. It is a good time to focus on your weaknesses, regardless of the sports field you are in. Stay positive and believe in yourself. About any little progress I made, I celebrated for myself, and was and am still very pleased and happy. Patience and discipline are the keys, but above all focus on your goal, your passion and your love for the sport that you are evolved and find ways how to continue training. There is always a way just never ever give up or give inn.

If you have an ACL tear, go and get the surgery behind you as soon as possible. Find a doctor you truly trust, and who will take you as an individual athlete serious and get a good PT who again, focuses on you as an individual. My PT was once on vacation, and her substitute was so bad, that I decided to work on my own and return to physio when my PT was back from vacation.

In the end, it's you who decides and nobody else in the world about your return to your sports. Face the fact, accept it and start working and believe in yourself and don't listen to anyone else who tells you otherwise.

Good luck to all the injured athletes out there.